Unions Demand Respect For Workers' Rights

Workers around the world are mobilising to demand respect tomorrow on International Workers Day - May 1.

"Workers tomorrow and over the next few days are celebrating the achievements of the trade union movement and calling for greater respect for workers' rights," said Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson today.

"Unions worldwide are demanding Respect for workers and for all people."

In some parts of New Zealand union members will take to the streets tomorrow, while other are rallying on Saturday.

In Brazil, around 1 1/2 million are expected in the streets of Sao Paulo in what probably constitutes the single biggest May 1st event in the world.

Unions are calling for the following:

- Respect for workers' rights, under threat from globalisation

- Respect for the rights and concerns of young people

- Respect for the poor, by action to end poverty and exclusion

- Respect for all by promoting and defending quality public services

- Respect for the health and safety of workers by reversing the terrible toll of workplace death, injury and disease

- Respect for women, migrants and marginalised groups

For a roundup of international events: For more information on the Global Unions May 1st mobilisation: http://www.global-unions.org/may1